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An Oscar-winning director, attacked by Israel. And it's not the first time

An Oscar-winning director, attacked by Israel. And it's not the first time

Jesús Bosque

  • February 18, 2026
  • Updated: February 20, 2026 at 12:36 PM
An Oscar-winning director, attacked by Israel. And it's not the first time

Hamdan Ballal, the co-director of the film No Other Land, was attacked in his home along with his family, less than a year after being assaulted by a group of Israeli settlers.

This new attack has raised concerns and controversy, focusing attention on the safety of artists in conflict areas and the possibility that violence could threaten freedom of expression in the film industry.

From the river to the sea

Ballal, an Oscar-winning director, is recognized not only for his work in No Other Land but also for his commitment to representing critical issues in his films. The work, which addresses complex situations in its context, has become a benchmark in contemporary cinema, highlighting the perspective of communities affected by the conflict.

In a statement shared through social media on both the official account of the film and on the page of its co-director Basel Adra, information about the attack was reported.

Although the exact details of the incident are scarce, the seriousness of the situation has sparked a debate about the climate of insecurity faced by creatives in areas of tension. There are concerns that these events may have repercussions on public perception regarding the safety and well-being of artists addressing sensitive topics.

The attack on Ballal is a disturbing reminder of the challenges filmmakers face in contexts of violence and injustice. Analysts warn that violence against cultural figures can silence important voices and hinder the production of meaningful works that critique contemporary social and political situations.

In this context, the international artistic community has expressed its solidarity with Ballal and his family, emphasizing the importance of protecting artistic freedom everywhere.

Jesús Bosque

I’m a journalist with more than 30 years of experience in video games and technology. Although my specialty has always been video games, I’ve recently started enjoying exploring the intricacies of project-management tools like Asana, as well as automations with Make.com and N8N.

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